Week2 Resources- Assistive Technology- Journet

PECS Sentence Strip

When I read the Week 2 Resources I was very excited to see the technology and resources available for students with special needs.  I work with students with special needs and I am familiar with the PECS, Picture Exchange Communication System.  It is a system of signs and symbols printed out into cards which can be combined into a sentence strip so that nonverbal students can use to communicate.  I put together a small example of a sentence strip that I would use if I had to order a cold or iced latte at a coffee shop.  It reads "Hello, I want to drink a cold latte."  The PECS was created for students in the Autism Spectrum Disorder but can be used with other students as an alternative to sign language and other methods of communication.  Some kids do well with sign language and some don't.

In the week 2 resources I viewed the link about the Apps for kids with autism.  The apps are a digital form of PECS.  The students were far more engaged than using simple paper.  We saw the little girl crumbling up the paper when her teacher was trying to show her the number 1 and 2.  When the teacher presented the numbers through an app in the iPad the student was very engaged and focused.  In this video I learned that students with autism are very receptive to learning apps on the iPad.  They do admit that iPads are not for all students but for the students that do respond well it is life changing.  Parents talk about how certain programs have given their kids a voice.  They knew that their child had a personality and feelings and thoughts.  However they were not able to express themselves until they were taught to use certain assistive tech devices like their iPad apps or Dynavox devices.

Dynavox-Tobbi

We saw a video about Lianna Bryant who has cerebral palsy and uses a Dynavox device to communicate.  This Dynavox device uses the same type of PECS sign and symbols.  The pictures are similar but they are used in a device that looks like a tablet.  However, when the student clicks on it, they are able to manipulate it to form sentences and then they can play their sentence using a digital voice for others to hear.  This device works as their voice.  It is also personal to each individual.  They are able to save custom sentences that pertain only to themselves.  For example it can say.  My favorite color is pink. I like to eat pizza."

I have worked with non verbal students and it can be very challenging trying to understand their needs.  Usually they point or make gestures and become frustrated to the point of tears or tantrums if we don't understand.  I have used PECS and have used Ipad apps as well.  I did however try to download the app proloquo2go for one of my students but I personally could not afford it at the time.  It cost over $200 dollars.  If the family can afford it and their child does well with an iPad I would recommend it.  It is similar to the dynavox device.

I am amazed to see how all of these devices, apps and resources are giving nonverbal students a voice.